Chapter 238: 154. Competition is acceptable, but within limits.
Upon seeing the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch appear, Xu Xing dared not delay. He immediately opened the entrance to his Cave Mansion to welcome the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch inside.
Xuanjing Abodes...
Upon entering the Biyuan Mountain Cave Mansion, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s brow furrowed slightly.
Cave Mansions used by cultivators are generally divided into five categories, from highest to lowest: Cave, Blessed Land, Jade Palace, Xuanjing, and Dan Lu. He had stayed at the Sealed Demon Pan Palace because it contained a Blessed Land suitable for a great cultivator like him to meditate and practice Qi Refinement. Although there were Caves and Blessed Lands within the sect itself, too many high-level members resided there. Cultivating in the Blessed Land at the Sealed Demon Pan Palace was far more comfortable than in the sect’s Caves or Blessed Lands.
Generally, cultivators in the Immortal Base Early and Middle stages mostly used Dan Lu established on the various Inner Sect Peaks as their Cave Mansions. It was rare for Foundation Establishment Cultivators like Xu Xing to directly use Xuanjing Abodes as their Cave Mansion.
Now that Xu Xing is using Xuanjing Abodes in the sect headquarters, perhaps he’s using my name to seek personal gain within the sect.
A First-class genuine transmission naturally grants the qualification to be assigned Xuanjing Abodes.
However! Xu Xing’s First-class genuine transmission was obtained at the Sealed Demon Pan Palace.
When assigning Cave Mansions, it should have been handled differently. His Xuanjing Abode should have been located within the West Sea area of the Wangchuan Sea, which is controlled by the Sealed Demon Pan Palace. Otherwise, if they were distributed arbitrarily, wouldn’t the sect’s internal affairs descend into chaos? Everyone would want a prime Cave Mansion at the sect headquarters, and there simply aren’t enough to go around.
"I have a slight acquaintance with Deacon Jiang of the Lu Shi Hall," Xu Xing, noticing the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s displeasure, calmly explained. "When I joined the sect, Deacon Jiang arranged this Cave Mansion for me."
This situation was different from when he had revealed the King of Might’s identity. Jiang Yan was a Deacon of the Lu Shi Pavilion. When he arranged the Biyuan Mountain Cave Mansion for Xu Xing back then, he had adhered to the sect’s rules. There was no abuse of power whatsoever. Therefore, this matter could withstand scrutiny. Thus, Xu Xing didn’t hesitate to mention his connection with Jiang Yan.
"So that’s how it is..." The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch nodded slightly, accepting Xu Xing’s explanation. Xu Xing’s words were logical and well-supported. He didn’t believe Xu Xing would lie to him. The sect would have records indicating whether he obtained the Biyuan Mountain Cave Mansion before or after becoming his disciple, and this could be easily verified.
The master and disciple then entered the living room. The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch took the main seat. Xu Xing, however, sat partially, his rear barely touching the stone bench. This was a matter of etiquette, a distinction of status. Although they were master and disciple, etiquette between them was paramount. To be lax and informal was not the conduct of a disciple. In the mortal world, when one becomes an apprentice to learn a trade, they must serve their master for several years without pay. Otherwise, why would a master impart the skills they rely on for their livelihood? In their conduct, disciples were to serve their masters as they would their own fathers. The Cultivation World also had its rules!
"Within the sect, the people targeting you," the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch began, "after some thought, are likely the Gong Family and the Ruan Family from the Family Line. These two families are one of the Five Palace Crown Clans and one of the Nine Mountain Great Halls, respectively. They’ve had grievances with me in the past." After identifying these two potential adversaries, he continued, "It might also be Song Knife from the Master and Disciple Lineage. If you advance to the Returning Core Realm, the sect’s allocation of resources to your Human Emperor Body could surpass what Song Knife receives.
"The sect possesses only one mine that produces dragon-attribute cloudsand.
"After condensing the Dragon and Tiger Daoism Pill, one must use cloudsand to polish their cultivation. Cloudsand has various types; those of the Five Elements are most common, while dragon-attribute cloudsand is rarer. The Human King physique is born only once every three hundred and fifty years. Their appearances were supposed to be staggered. However, who could have known you would appear as this variable? In Fengxi Country, a Human King physique was born first, followed by your Human Emperor Body. You two are in a Dao struggle!
"Beyond those, it might also be my own family.
"With you, my disciple, to protect them, the Ai Family could endure for thousands of years. But there are always some short-sighted, self-serving individuals who will attempt to seize my possessions after I die..."
Having a master versus not having one made a significant difference. Although Xu Xing had some inkling of the conspirators within the sect plotting against him, he had largely been fumbling in the dark. Aside from using Fate Deduction after his Destiny had collapsed, it was difficult for him to ascertain if other enemies were targeting him.
The third possibility... Xu Xing, sitting beside him, was at a loss for words.
Regarding the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s family harming him, he’d actually had suspicions back in the Imperial Palace of Fengxi Country. This was one reason he hadn’t informed the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch immediately. In truth, he could somewhat understand the thinking of those "short-sighted" members of the Ai Family mentioned by the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch. To most cultivators, the survival of their clan isn’t a primary concern. As long as they themselves lived, one person could propagate an entire new clan. If he, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s direct disciple, were to die, even if only one or two items from the Daoist Monarch’s legacy fell to the Ai Family, it would be an immense fortune for certain members.
"However, the Ai Family is unlikely to be the primary instigator," Xu Xing stated after a moment of contemplation.
For the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch, before despair clouded his Daoist path, he probably hadn’t cared much for his family. Only now, with his life approaching its end, had he begun to show some concern for them. After all, for a figure like the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch, the ties of familial bloodline were already quite remote. The Ai Family as a whole and certain individuals within the Ai Family were not to be equated. This was a distinction he needed to make clear!
"The Ai Family Patriarch, with his Dao Pill Cultivation, is the only one qualified to be involved in such matters... If he is involved, I will deal with it personally." The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch was quite pleased with Xu Xing’s response. He made this promise, not wishing for Xu Xing to become estranged from the Ai Family in the future.
"As for the Gong Family and Ruan Family..." Here, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch sighed softly. "If I were still in my prime, I naturally wouldn’t fear them. But now, in the twilight of my life, greatly offending these two families would be detrimental to the Ai Family and you... These Aristocratic Families from the Five Temple Surnames and the Nine Mountain Great Halls are not mere minor clans of the Inner Sect; they all have Dao Lords presiding over them. Furthermore, the Gong Family even has a Nascent Soul Saint Monarch who has lived for ages. Of course, I didn’t completely antagonize both families in the past, merely some branches within them. Otherwise, if a Nascent Soul Saint Monarch had taken action, I would not be alive today. In short, it’s a principle of ’contend but don’t destroy.’ Even when these conspirators plotted against Xu Xing, they didn’t act directly. Instead, they maneuvered behind the scenes, finding disciples from the Shadow Assassination Hall, like Bi Qing, and creating opportunities for them. Otherwise, any Returning Core or Dao Pill Cultivator from these two major Aristocratic Families could have easily killed Xu Xing, regardless of his luck."
"Disciple understands!" Xu Xing nodded, showing he understood.
Although the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s response was somewhat disappointing, it was understandable. Cultivating immortality isn’t just about fighting and killing. Overturning the board completely wouldn’t necessarily benefit him.
"So, you can contend," the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch said, a slight smile touching the corners of his mouth as he saw Xu Xing grasp his meaning. "But the scope must be controlled... The Master and Disciple Lineage and the Family Line are not true enemies. The two lines merely contend for power. When it comes to loyalty to the sect, do you think generations of their meritorious service can’t compare to that of a single Commoner Disciple like yourself? Furthermore, the Five Palace Crown Clans, the Nine Mountain Great Halls, and the Thirty-six Prominent Clans are all immense, each boasting at least a thousand cultivators. Collectively, they comprise at least forty percent of the sect’s cultivators and seventy percent of its high-level members. The high-level members of the Family Line don’t prohibit competition between cultivators from the Master and Disciple Lineage and those from their own line. Resources are finite. Contention is inevitable! It’s just that this time, the ’Family Line’ resorted to underhanded tactics."
"As for Song Knife..." At this, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch’s words trailed off.